What exactly IS Deep Tissue Massage?

Deep Tissue Massage is a style of massage, not a specific technique.

First – In Deep Tissue, the therapist’s movements are slower.

Your massage therapist’s movements will generally be slower, allowing you time to take a deep breath and absorb the sensation in your body.

When a massage is rushed or moves too fast, your brain and mind have no time to take it in and allow the beneficial changes to your tissues such as softening, lengthening, and stretching. Instead, you may resist, and miss the benefits.

Second – In Deep Tissue, the therapist’s movements have a clear intention

A skillful therapist will listen as you explain the areas of your body where you feel you need some bodywork. You may be experiencing pain, tightness, and restricted movement, to name a few.

Your therapist may ask questions to clarify more precisely what is happening with your body and observe your movement and gait as you enter the room or office.

Then, they will begin to do focused massage work and techniques which they feel will most benefit the areas mentioned and observed. The therapist will work with the intention of lengthening, softening, and stretching the tissues that are the cause(s) of the problem(s).

Third – Deep Tissue requires FINESSE! It has MANY different levels of pressure, so that it’s NOT painful

So many massage clients have told me, “I had Deep Tissue once, and it was so painful!”

All I can say to that is that the therapist who gave you that massage was probably not trained well.

One of the First Rules of giving massage is to monitor the client’s response to the pressure you are using and ask questions – especially in the very beginning – about their comfort level.

Ideally, most clients who request DTM (Deep Tissue Massage) want to feel it, meaning the therapist is using enough pressure so the client feels the beneficial effects as they happen.

Clients often say they want a massage where the therapist gets in there and works on what they feel is the source of their complaint. Or, the client wants the pressure to be deep enough so that, It hurts sooo good!

The pressure will also vary, from one body part to another. Some clients want deep pressure on their upper back and lighter on the tender lower back. Many clients ask for substantially deeper pressure on their back and shoulders but less on their neck and limbs.

Why is it so hard to find a skillful Deep Tissue massage therapist?

For those people who love getting a good amount of pressure accompanied by a clear intent on assisting them to feel better, finding a therapist geared towards all that can be challenging.

One would assume that if this type of massage is so great and beneficial,  everyone would know how to do it.

The reason for the lack of skilled therapists can be that many massage schools only train new therapists in the basics. Then it is up to the new therapist to decide what they want to specialize in.

Apparently, many beginning therapists don’t choose deep tissue as one of their primary modalities to focus on, because they don’t know yet that the majority of their future clients will request that. Also, it can be more physically demanding work.

Why do so many people rave about how good they feel after Deep Tissue massage?

Many people rave because, for the first time in a long time, they have NO PAIN.

Another reason for celebration is because they finally found a skillful therapist (they ARE out there!) who has experience in effective Deep Tissue massage.

So many times my clients have told me they can still feel the beneficial effects of a deep tissue massage a week, two weeks, or more after their massage.

Deep Tissue is not for everyone

Some people are experiencing so much stress in their daily lives that all they can think about is relaxing and calming their nervous system.

For these people, a softer, gentle Swedish-style massage will be better. Something focused on soothing, calming, and relaxing. This alone will often help the person carrying a lot of tension feel better.

Other people may have lost a loved one or have difficulty sleeping, and they just want to feel touched and connected to their bodies in a positive way.

When should you get a Deep Tissue massage?

 

Some clients prefer to get a DTM when they have a tight or painful issue to address. Other clients utilize DTM for their rest, recovery, and maintenance. For example, when you have a:

• Sore, stiff neck from tension, stress, and too many hours at the computer
• Painful lower back from gardening or lifting heavy things
• Sore shoulder from overdoing a long swim or painting the ceiling
• On your rest and recovery day, help sore, overused muscles recover faster

Peter Black’s Listening Hands Massage is here when you’re in need

Everyone deserves stress-free, pain-free days. Don’t let tension and sore muscles stop you from living your best life. Self-care is real and many of us don’t care for ourselves enough. You can start now, feeling better and enjoying each day fully.

I’m in my SE Portland office on Mondays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. Let’s put my many years of experience in Deep Tissue Massage, Sports Massage, and other valuable modalities to work helping you and your loved ones feel better.

 

Peter Black, LMT – Listening Hands Massage and Freelance Writer